Retail industry

Hurricane Mitch has caused widespread devastation in Central America. It has had a particularly bad impact on Honduras and Nicaragua, where at least 7,000 people have died and many are still missing. Almost every bridge in these two countries has been destroyed, causing severe problems for rescue workers. Food supplies are dwindling, there is very little fresh water and epidemics of diseases such as dengue fever and cholera are anticipated. The US has already stated that it will provide $2 million in relief aid.

Western aid fails to reach Mitch's victims

Article Abstract:

Little emergency aid has reached villages along the northern Honduran coast devastated by Hurricane Mitch. The frigate HMS Sheffield came to the area to assist, but the Honduran military stopped members of the ship's crew at gunpoint as they sought to bring rice and beans into the area by lorry. The frigate has now moved to another area. Local people must now rely on local church volunteers for food and drinking water, while international food aid remains undistributed at nearby Trijillo airport.

Smog: global affliction, local solutions

Article Abstract:

Many of the world's cities experience problems with smog in the summer, with bright sunlight reacting with vehicle exhaust emissions to produce irritable substances which can cause health problems for many people. Different cities have adopted different ways of dealing with this situation. In Athens, for example, there are extensive traffic restrictions, while anti-smog technologies are used in Los Angeles and factories and workshops being moved out of Peking.